Andrew Junker/CATHOLIC SUN FILE PHOTO

Melissa Veselovsky, director of the St. Peregrine Chapel and Shrine in Mesa, holds a St. Peregrine relic in this archived photo. She will co-present "How to Develop Supportive Programming" at the third annual Facing Cancer with the Faith Community conference in September.

St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine director to speak at ‘facing cancer with faith’ event

The St. Peregrine Chapel and Shrine in Mesa is not quite a year old, yet its success in cancer support and outreach is eminent.

Its director is preparing to co-present a “How to Develop Supportive Programming” talk for leaders across many faith communities.

Melissa Veselovsky, director of the shrine and perpetual adoration chapel on the grounds of Christ the King Parish, will co-present the Sept. 15 talk alongside a Chandler cancer survivor who now facilitates a cancer support group at his place of worship. It’s all part of the third annual Facing Cancer with the Faith Community conference at Central United Methodist Church, 1875 N. Central Ave.

Religious leaders throughout the Valley are expected to gather for the conference that explores faith and cancer from the medical, emotional and spiritual perspectives. Cancer Treatment Centers of America and Hospice of the Valley are sponsoring the event. The Wellness Community, which like the St. Peregrine Chapel and Shrine, manages support and educational events for those living with cancer and their families, is a beneficiary.

“Visitors have reported feeling a sense of peace and comfort from being in the shrine, [a feeling] that they had not felt since their diagnosis,” Veselovsky said. “We have even been hearing of unexplained spontaneous healings of cancer by patients that have come to the shrine to pray.”

She hopes to equip lay and religious leaders of all faiths at the conference with the tools to develop similar supportive programs. Volunteer leaders at the St. Peregrine Shrine — which welcomes people of all faiths — are trained by the American Cancer Society and can easily connect visitors with several local Cancer organizations and treatment centers.

They also offer wigs, treatment supplies, medical equipment loans and other information free of charge.

“We want leaders of faith communities to know that they can make a real difference in the lives of people with cancer. Studies have shown that the more spiritual distress — unresolved religious or spiritual conflict — a person has, the more difficult it may be for them to recover from a cancer diagnosis,” Veselovsky said.

“If faith communities can work together to support people spiritually during a cancer crisis we may start seeing more people surviving cancer and families that are better able to cope, regardless of the outcome.”

Two other Catholic leaders will speak at the Facing Cancer with the Faith Community conference.

Dr. Chris Kellogg, a Corpus Christi parishioner, candidate for the deaconate and oncologist, will address “Diagnosis, Now What?” while Franciscan Brother Mark Maximillian will be among a five-member survivor panel. Bro. Mark once battled brain cancer and attributes his healing to the intercession of St. Peregrine.

Other breakout sessions include “Cognitive Coping Strategies” and “Circle of Care.” The Arizona Ecumenical Council will address the whole group on what defines spiritual support while other professionals quickly discuss psychosocial support and the impact of cancer.